JP7344657B2 - Mechanical equipment and work vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a detection device, a mechanical device, and a work vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art There is a known technique for estimating the deterioration state of mechanical parts by photographing the interior space of a housing in which mechanical parts are housed. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for photographing the internal space of a housing through a spacer member in which a magnet is embedded. Foreign matter generated from the mechanical parts is attracted to the end face of the spacer member by the magnetic force of the magnet. The photographing device photographs the foreign object adsorbed to the end face of the spacer member via the spacer member. The state of deterioration of mechanical parts is estimated based on the analysis results of image data captured by the imaging device.

International Publication No. 2017/208373

When the volume of the magnet embedded in the spacer member is large, the ratio of the magnet to the end face of the spacer member becomes large. As a result, the range of the end face of the spacer member in which the foreign object can be photographed by the photographing device becomes smaller. On the other hand, when the volume of the magnet embedded in the spacer member is small, the amount of foreign matter that can be attracted by the magnet is reduced.

Aspects of the present invention aim to acquire appropriate image data for estimating the deterioration state of mechanical parts.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it has an imaging section, a first holding section that holds the imaging section, and a suction surface facing a circulation space through which a fluid flows, and the suction surface connects the A detection device is provided that includes a magnet facing an imaging section, a second holding section that holds the magnet, and a connecting section that is connected to the second holding section and has an opening.

According to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain appropriate image data for estimating the deterioration state of mechanical parts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a work vehicle according to a first embodiment, viewed from the rear. FIG. 2 is a diagram of a part of the mechanical device according to the first embodiment viewed from the rear. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the detection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of image data acquired by the detection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a magnet and a second holding part according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a magnet and a second holding part according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a magnet and a second holding part according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a magnet and a second holding part according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a magnet and a second holding part according to the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The components of the embodiments described below can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, some components may not be used.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a work vehicle 100 according to the present embodiment, viewed from the rear. In this embodiment, the work vehicle 100 is a dump truck that is loaded and travels at a mining site. In the following description, the work vehicle 100 will be appropriately referred to as a dump truck 100.

<Dump truck>
As shown in FIG. 1, the dump truck 100 includes a vehicle body frame 110, a dump body 120 supported by the vehicle body frame 110, and a traveling device 130 that supports the vehicle body frame 110 and travels.

Travel device 130 has wheels 150 on which tires 140 are mounted. Wheel 150 includes a front wheel and a rear wheel 150R. The rear wheel 150R rotates around the rotation axis RX.

In the following description, the direction in which the rotating shaft RX extends is appropriately referred to as the vehicle width direction, the traveling direction of the dump truck 100 is appropriately referred to as the front-rear direction, and the direction orthogonal to each of the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction is appropriately referred to as the vehicle width direction. , the vertical direction.

One of the front and rear directions is the front, and the opposite direction is the rear. One side in the vehicle width direction is the right side, and the opposite direction from the right side is the left side. One of the vertical directions is the upper direction, and the opposite direction to the upper direction is the lower direction.

The vehicle body frame 110 has an engine that is a driving source. In this embodiment, the engine includes an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine. The dump body 120 is a member on which cargo is loaded.

The traveling device 130 includes an axle device 1 that transmits driving force generated by an engine to a rear wheel 150R. The driving force generated by the engine is transmitted to the drive shaft via the transmission device. The axle device 1 is connected to a drive shaft. The axle device 1 transmits the driving force of the engine supplied via the transmission device and the drive shaft to the rear wheel 150R. The rear wheel 150R rotates around the rotation axis RX by the supplied driving force. Thereby, the traveling device 130 travels.

<Axle device>
FIG. 2 is a diagram of a part of the axle device 1 according to the present embodiment viewed from the rear. In this embodiment, the axle device 1 is a rear axle that drives a rear wheel 150R. The axle device 1 is a mechanical device including an axle housing 2 and mechanical parts accommodated in an internal space 2H of the axle housing 2. Axle housing 2 is supported by vehicle body frame 110 via suspension device 160. The axle housing 2 has an opening 20 in which a detection device 50 is arranged. The opening 20 is provided at the center in the vehicle width direction at the rear of the axle housing 2.

Examples of mechanical parts housed in the axle housing 2 include a plurality of gears such as a bevel gear and a pinion gear of the axle device 1. Oil, which is a fluid for lubricating or cooling mechanical parts, is accommodated in the internal space 2H. Approximately half of the mechanical parts are immersed in oil in the internal space 2H.

<Detection device>
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the detection device 50 according to this embodiment. The detection device 50 is arranged in the opening 20 of the axle housing 2. The detection device 50 photographs the internal space 2H of the axle housing 2 in which the mechanical parts are housed, and acquires image data used for estimating the deterioration state of the mechanical parts.

The detection device 50 includes an imaging section 51 , an illumination section 52 , a spacer section 53 , a first holding section 54 , a magnet 55 , a second holding section 56 , and a connecting section 57 .

The photographing unit 51 photographs the interior space 2H to obtain image data. Photographing section 51 includes a digital camera. The photographing unit 51 includes an optical system 51A, an image sensor 51B such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, and a camera housing 51C that accommodates the optical system 51A and the image sensor 51B. including.

The illumination section 52 illuminates the photographing area of the photographing section 51. The illumination unit 52 is arranged around the front end surface F1 of the optical system 51A. The illumination unit 52 includes a light source that emits illumination light. The light source is embedded in the front end surface of the camera housing 51C. A light emitting diode (LED) is exemplified as a light source.

The spacer section 53 separates the photographing section 51 from the oil. The spacer portion 53 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The spacer portion 53 has a lens-side end surface F2 facing the front end surface F1 of the optical system 51A, and a magnet-side end surface F3 facing the opposite side of the lens-side end surface F2. A magnet-side end surface F3 of the spacer portion 53 faces a circulation space 60 through which oil, which is a fluid, flows. The lens side end surface F2 and the magnet side end surface F3 are parallel. The front end surface F1 and the lens side end surface F2 face each other with a gap interposed therebetween. Note that the front end surface F1 and the lens side end surface F2 may be in contact with each other. The spacer portion 53 is a transparent member that can transmit visible light. In this embodiment, the spacer portion 53 includes polycarbonate resin. Polycarbonate resin is transparent and has high heat resistance.

The first holding section 54 holds the photographing section 51 , the illumination section 52 , the spacer section 53 , and the second holding section 56 . The first holding portion 54 is substantially cylindrical. The first holding section 54 is arranged around the imaging section 51 , the illumination section 52 , the spacer section 53 , and the second holding section 56 . The first holding part 54 is arranged in the opening 20 of the axle housing 2. A sealing member 61 such as an O-ring is disposed between the outer circumferential surface of the spacer portion 53 and the inner circumferential surface of the first holding portion 54 . A fixing ring 62 for fixing the spacer section 53 is arranged around the magnet side end surface F3 of the spacer section 53.

The imaging unit 51 is held by the first holding unit 54 so that the optical axis AX of the optical system 51A extends in the front-rear direction. The spacer portion 53 is held by the first holding portion 54 such that the optical axis AX is orthogonal to each of the lens side end surface F2 and the magnet side end surface F3.

The second holding part 56 holds the magnet 55. The magnet 55 is held by the second holding part 56 so as to face the spacer part 53 with the circulation space 60 interposed therebetween. The spacer section 53 is arranged between the imaging section 51 and the magnet 55. The magnet 55 is held by the second holding part 56 so as to face the imaging part 51 via the circulation space 60 and the spacer part 53.

The magnet 55 is, for example, a neodymium magnet. The magnet 55 collects magnetic foreign matter present in the internal space 2H. Magnet 55 is substantially cylindrical. The magnet 55 has an attraction surface H1 facing the circulation space 60 through which oil flows, and a back surface H2 facing the opposite side of the attraction surface H1. The suction surface H1 and the back surface H2 are parallel. The attraction surface H1 of the magnet 55 comes into contact with the oil flowing through the circulation space 60. The second holding portion 56 has a support surface that faces the back surface H2 of the magnet 55 and the side surface of the magnet 55. The attraction surface H1 of the magnet 55 faces the imaging section 51 with the circulation space 60 interposed therebetween. The magnet-side end surface F3 of the spacer portion 53 faces the attraction surface H1 of the magnet 55 via the circulation space 60.

The magnet 55 is held by the second holding part 56 so that the optical axis AX and the attraction surface H1 are perpendicular to each other. The magnet 55 is held by the second holding portion 56 such that the optical axis AX and the center of the attracting surface H1 of the magnet 55 coincide in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis AX.

The connecting portion 57 is connected to the second holding portion 56 . In this embodiment, the connecting portion 57 is included in the first holding portion 54 . That is, the first holding part 54 and the connecting part 57 are integrated. Note that the first holding part 54 and the connecting part 57 may be separate bodies. When the first holding part 54 and the connecting part 57 are separate bodies, the connecting part 57 connects the first holding part 54 and the second holding part 56. The connecting portion 57 has an opening 58 connected to the circulation space 60 between the attraction surface H1 of the magnet 55 and the magnet-side end surface F3 of the spacer portion 53. The external space of the circulation space 60 is the internal space 2H of the axle housing 2. About half of the internal space 2H is filled with oil. The circulation space 60 is included in the internal space 2H. Oil in the internal space 2H can flow into the circulation space 60 via the opening 58. Oil in the circulation space 60 can flow out into the internal space 2H through the opening 58.

The attraction surface H1 of the magnet 55 is photographed by the photographing section 51 through the circulation space 60. The photographing section 51 photographs the attracting surface H1 of the magnet 55 through the spacer section 53 and the circulation space 60. The imaging unit 51 is capable of acquiring image data of the circulation space 60 including the magnet 55. When photographing the magnet 55, the circulation space 60 including the magnet 55 is illuminated by the illumination unit 52. Illumination light emitted from the illumination section 52 is irradiated onto the magnet 55 via the spacer section 53 and the circulation space 60.

The attraction surface H1 of the magnet 55 is smaller than the viewing area of the optical system 51A. In a plane perpendicular to the optical axis AX, the optical axis AX and the center of the suction surface H1 coincide. The suction surface H1 is arranged at the center of the viewing area of the optical system 51H.

<Image data>
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of image data acquired by the detection device 50 according to this embodiment. An example of the foreign matter existing in the internal space 2H is metal powder generated from mechanical parts. When the mechanical parts are gears, when the gears rub against each other, metal powder such as wear particles or broken pieces may be generated. The mechanical parts are immersed in oil in the internal space 2H. Foreign matter generated from mechanical parts gets mixed into the oil in the internal space 2H.

Oil in the internal space 2H flows into the circulation space 60 through the opening 58. The oil that has flowed into the circulation space 60 contacts the attraction surface H1 of the magnet 55. The suction surface H1 is flat and circular. If the foreign matter mixed in the oil is magnetic, it is attracted to the attraction surface H1 by the magnetic force of the magnet 55. Foreign matter is collected by the magnetic force of the magnet 55. FIG. 4 shows an example in which various foreign substances having different sizes and shapes are collected by the magnet 55. Foreign matter mixed in the oil is collected by the magnetic force of the magnet 55, and foreign matter generated from mechanical parts is removed from the meshing parts of multiple gears or the sliding surfaces of bearings arranged in the internal space 2H. Infiltration is suppressed. Thereby, uneven wear and damage of the mechanical parts is suppressed, and deterioration of the mechanical parts of the axle device 1 is suppressed.

The photographing unit 51 photographs the attraction surface H1 of the magnet 55 through the circulation space 60. The magnet 55 is arranged in the viewing area of the optical system 51A of the imaging section 51. The photographing unit 51 can photograph a foreign object attracted to the attracting surface H1 of the magnet 55.

The image data acquired by the detection device 50 is subjected to image processing. After the image data is subjected to image processing, the foreign matter captured by the magnet 55 is analyzed. For example, the amount of foreign matter collected on the suction surface H1 is calculated. Furthermore, the size of the foreign matter collected on the suction surface H1 is calculated. Based on the foreign object analysis results, the state of deterioration of the mechanical components accommodated in the internal space 2H of the axle housing 2 is estimated.

For example, if the amount of foreign matter collected on the suction surface H1 is large, it is estimated that a large amount of foreign matter has been generated from the mechanical parts and that the mechanical parts are deteriorating. When the amount of foreign matter collected on the suction surface H1 is small, it is presumed that the amount of foreign matter generated from the mechanical parts is small and that the deterioration of the mechanical parts has not progressed yet.

If the size of the foreign matter collected on the suction surface H1 is large, it is estimated that the mechanical component is reaching the end of its life. Furthermore, the occurrence of uneven wear of the mechanical parts is estimated based on the size of the foreign matter collected on the suction surface H1.

If it is determined that the mechanical components of the axle device 1 are at the end of their lifespan, the axle device 1 is overhauled before the mechanical components of the axle device 1 reach the end of their lifespan.

<Effect>
As explained above, by disposing the magnet 55 in the internal space 2H, even if foreign matter is generated from the mechanical parts provided in the internal space 2H, it is collected by the magnet 55 by the magnetic force of the magnet 55. By collecting foreign matter, adhesion of foreign matter to mechanical parts is suppressed. This suppresses deterioration of mechanical parts.

The attraction surface H1 of the magnet 55 faces the circulation space 60 through which oil flows. The suction surface H1 faces the photographing section 51 with the circulation space 60 interposed therebetween. The photographing unit 51 photographs the suction surface H1 through the circulation space 60. The photographing unit 51 can photograph the entire area of the suction surface H1 where foreign matter is suctioned. By increasing the volume of the magnet 55, the amount of foreign matter that the magnet 55 can attract can be increased. The detection device 50 can acquire appropriate image data of foreign objects generated from mechanical parts.

Furthermore, by increasing the volume of the magnet 55, the amount of foreign matter that the magnet 55 can attract can be increased, so maintenance work to remove foreign matter from the magnet 55 does not have to be performed frequently.

By providing the spacer section 53, the photographing section 51 and the oil are separated, and contact between the oil and the photographing section 51 is suppressed. Thereby, deterioration of the photographing section 51 is suppressed. Furthermore, the photographing section 51 can be easily replaced. Furthermore, the photographing section 51 can be worn periodically to take photographs without having to permanently install it.

In a plane perpendicular to the optical axis AX of the optical system 51A of the imaging unit 51, the optical axis AX and the center of the attracting surface H1 of the magnet 55 coincide. Thereby, the suction surface H1 is arranged at the center of the viewing area of the optical system 51A. Therefore, the detection device 50 can acquire appropriate image data of the foreign object generated from the mechanical component.

An illumination section 52 that illuminates the photographing area of the photographing section 51 is provided. Even if the interior space 2H of the axle housing 2 is dark, the illumination section 52 illuminates the interior space 2H, so that the photographing section 51 can properly photograph the interior space 2H.

[Second embodiment]
A second embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the magnet 55 and the second holding part 56 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the detection device 50 includes an indicator section 70 that is disposed near the magnet 55 and is used to determine the state of oil flowing through the circulation space 60.

The indicator section 70 includes an annular plate arranged around the magnet 55. The surface of the index portion 70 comes into contact with the oil in the circulation space 60 . The indicator section 70 has a plurality of marks M for determining the color tone of the oil as the condition of the oil.

The surface of the indicator portion 70 is white. A mark M is drawn on a white surface (base) using oil-resistant ink of a hue different from white. Each of the plurality of marks M has a hue that is the same as or similar to that of oil. The hue of the plurality of marks M is, for example, brown.

In this embodiment, nine marks M are provided on the index section 70. In this embodiment, the marks M are the numbers "0.5", "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", and "8", respectively. It is a design with a circle surrounding it. In the following description, the mark M including "0.5" will be appropriately referred to as a reference mark M0. The mark M containing "1" is appropriately referred to as a first mark M1. The mark M including "2" is appropriately referred to as a second mark M2. The mark M including "3" is appropriately referred to as a third mark M3. The mark M including "4" is appropriately referred to as a fourth mark M4. The mark M including "5" is appropriately referred to as a fifth mark M5. The mark M including "6" is appropriately referred to as a sixth mark M6. The mark M including "7" is appropriately referred to as a seventh mark M7. The mark M including "8" is appropriately referred to as an eighth mark M8.

Note that in this embodiment, the mark M includes numbers, but may include alphabetical characters instead of numbers.

The color densities of the plurality of marks M are different. Among the plurality of marks M, the reference mark M0 has the lowest density, the first mark M1 has the lowest density next to the reference mark M0, the second mark M2 has the lowest density next to the first mark M1, and the second mark M2 has the lowest density. Next, the density of the third mark M3 is low, the density of the fourth mark M4 is next to the third mark M3, the density of the fifth mark M5 is next to the fourth mark M4, and the density of the sixth mark M6 is next to the fifth mark M5. The density of the seventh mark M7 is the lowest after the sixth mark M6, and the density of the eighth mark M8 is the highest.

Note that the plurality of marks M may have different brightnesses. For example, among the plurality of marks M, the reference mark M0 has the highest brightness, the first mark M1 has the highest brightness next to the reference mark M0, the second mark M2 has the highest brightness next to the first mark M1, and the second mark The third mark M3 has the highest brightness next to M2, the fourth mark M4 has the highest brightness next to the third mark M3, the fifth mark M5 has the highest brightness next to the fourth mark M4, and the sixth mark M5 has the highest brightness next to the fifth mark M5. The brightness of the mark M6 may be high, the brightness of the seventh mark M7 next to the sixth mark M6 may be the highest, and the brightness of the eighth mark M8 may be the lowest.

Note that the plurality of marks M may have different saturations. For example, among the plurality of marks M, the reference mark M0 has the highest saturation, the first mark M1 has the second highest saturation after the reference mark M0, the second mark M2 has the second highest saturation after the first mark M1, The third mark M3 has the highest saturation after the second mark M2, the fourth mark M4 has the highest saturation after the third mark M3, the fifth mark M5 has the highest saturation after the fourth mark M4, and the fifth mark M5 has the highest saturation after the fourth mark M4. The sixth mark M6 may have the highest saturation after the mark M5, the seventh mark M7 may have the highest saturation after the sixth mark M6, and the eighth mark M8 may have the lowest saturation.

The mark M corresponds to a color that changes depending on the state of deterioration of the oil. Further, the mark M may have different standards depending on the oil manufacturer.

The plurality of marks M are arranged at intervals on the surface of the index section 70. Each of the plurality of marks M is arranged in the field of view of the optical system 51A of the photographing section 51.

The photographing section 51 photographs the index section 70 through the oil in the circulation space 60. Thereby, image data of the index section 70 including the mark M is acquired by the photographing section 51. Based on the image data acquired by the imaging unit 51, the state of the oil contained in the internal space 2H is determined. In this embodiment, it is determined whether the color tone of the oil is equal to or greater than a threshold value based on image data. The threshold value for the color tone of oil is a predetermined value. The fact that the color tone of the oil is equal to or higher than the threshold value means that the oil has a high color tone and that deterioration of the oil has not progressed. When the color tone of the oil is smaller than the threshold value, it means that the oil becomes cloudy, the color tone of the oil decreases, and deterioration of the oil progresses.

When the oil has not deteriorated and the color tone of the oil is high, the photographing unit 51 can acquire image data of the mark M even if the density (brightness) of the mark M is low. When the color tone of the oil is high, the photographing unit 51 can acquire image data of each of the first mark M1 to the eighth mark M8.

When the oil deteriorates and the color tone of the oil is low, and the density (brightness) of the mark M is low, it is difficult for the photographing unit 51 to visually recognize the image of the mark M. When the color tone of the oil is low, the photographing unit 51 can acquire image data of the eighth mark M8, but cannot acquire image data of the seventh mark M7 from the reference mark M0.

In this way, the progress state of oil deterioration and the color tone of the oil are correlated, and the color tone of the oil corresponds to the mark M from which image data can be obtained. Therefore, the color tone of the oil is determined based on the image data of the mark M acquired by the photographing section 51.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the index portion 70 is provided around the magnet 55. Therefore, the detection device 50 can acquire both the image data of the foreign object captured by the magnet 55 and the image data of the index section 70. Based on the image data of the foreign matter captured by the magnet 55, the state of deterioration of the mechanical component is estimated. Based on the image data of the index section 70, the deterioration state of the oil is estimated. In this manner, in this embodiment, both the deterioration state of mechanical parts and the deterioration state of oil can be estimated.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the index portion 70 includes an annular plate disposed around the magnet 55. In the example shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the indicator portion 70 may be placed next to the magnet 55. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the indicator portion 70 includes a plate extending in the vertical direction next to the magnet 55. In the example shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the magnet 55 may have an annular shape, and the indicator portion 70 may be disposed inside the magnet 55.

Note that the indicator portion 70 does not need to have the mark M. That is, the surface of the index portion 70 may be plain. Even when the mark M is not provided on the surface of the index section 70, the illumination section 52 illuminates the index section 70 with each of a plurality of colored lights, so that based on the reflected light reflected on the surface of the index section 70, The deterioration state of oil can be estimated. Examples of the plurality of colored lights include different colored lights such as red light, blue light, and green light. The reflectance of each color light changes based on the color tone of the oil. Reflectance of each color light when colored light is irradiated through fresh oil (oil with high color tone) and reflectance of each color light when colored light is irradiated through deteriorated oil (oil with low color tone) It's different. That is, the reflectance characteristics of a plurality of colored lights differ depending on the color tone of the oil. Therefore, the deterioration state of the oil can be estimated by irradiating the oil with a plurality of colored lights and calculating the reflectance characteristics of the plurality of colored lights.

[Third embodiment]
A third embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the magnet 55 and the second holding part 56 according to this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the magnet 55 and the second holding part 56 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the magnet 55 is annular. A cone portion 80 is provided inside the magnet 55 . The cone portion 80 has a conical shape. Note that the cone portion 80 may be pyramid-shaped.

The cone portion 80 is a non-magnetic material. As a material for the cone portion 80, a synthetic resin such as POM (polyacetal) may be used, for example. Further, the cone portion 80 may be made of colored non-magnetic metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel.

Similar to the embodiment described above, foreign matter mixed in the oil is attracted to the attraction surface H1 of the magnet 55. When the amount of foreign matter attracted to the suction surface H1 is small, the dimension W indicating the amount of accumulated foreign matter in the direction in which the optical axis AX extends is small. As the amount of foreign matter attracted to the suction surface H1 increases, the dimension W of the foreign matter in the extending direction of the optical axis AX increases.

When the cone portion 80 is attracted to the attraction surface H1 of the magnet 55 and the dimension W increases, the surface of the cone portion 80 is gradually covered with foreign matter. As the dimension W increases, the area of the surface of the cone portion 80 that is not covered with foreign matter gradually decreases. As the amount of foreign matter increases, the area of the surface of the cone portion 80 that is not covered with foreign matter changes. Based on the dimension W of the foreign object in the extending direction of the optical axis AX, the dimension D of the surface of the cone portion 80 in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis AX changes.

The photographing section 51 photographs the surface of the cone section 80. The dimension D is calculated based on the image data acquired by the imaging unit 51. As shown in FIG. 9A, it is determined that the larger the dimension D is, the smaller the amount of foreign matter (dimension W) collected on the suction surface H1 is. As shown in FIG. 9(B), it is determined that the smaller the dimension D is, the larger the amount of foreign matter (dimension W) collected on the suction surface H1 is.

As explained above, in this embodiment, the cone portion 80 is provided inside the annular magnet 55. By calculating the dimension D based on the image data, the amount of foreign matter collected by the magnet 55 is estimated. The imaging unit 51 and the magnet 55 are arranged in the direction in which the optical axis AX extends. Therefore, it may be difficult to specify the size W of the foreign matter deposited on the suction surface H1 from the image data. In this embodiment, a cone portion 80 is provided inside the annular magnet 55, and the dimension D of the area of the surface of the cone portion 80 that is not covered with foreign matter is calculated. The dimension D is a dimension in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis AX. Therefore, it is easy to specify the dimension D from the image data.

[Other embodiments]
In the embodiment described above, it is assumed that the optical axis AX and the center of the magnet 55 coincide. The optical axis AX and the center of the magnet 55 may be offset.

In the above-described embodiment, the axle device 1 has been described as an example of a mechanical device including mechanical parts that are immersed in oil in the internal space of the housing. The mechanical device may be a transmission device. The transmission device is also a mechanical device that includes mechanical parts that are immersed in oil in the interior space of the housing. According to the embodiments described above, the state of deterioration of the mechanical components of the transmission device can also be estimated.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Axle device (mechanical device), 2... Axle housing, 2H... Internal space, 20... Opening, 50... Detection device, 51... Photographing section, 51A... Optical system, 51B... Image pickup element, 51C... Camera housing, 52... Illumination part, 53... Spacer part, 54... First holding part, 55... Magnet, 56... Second holding part, 57... Connection part, 58... Opening part, 60... Circulation space, 61... Seal member, 62... Fixing ring , 70... Indicator part, 80... Cone part, 100... Dump truck (work vehicle), 110... Vehicle body frame, 120... Dump body, 130... Traveling device, 140... Tire, 150... Wheel, 150R... Rear wheel, 160 ...Suspension device, AX...Optical axis, F1...Front end surface, F2...Lens side end surface, F3...Magnet side end surface, H1...Adsorption surface, H2...Back surface, RX...Rotation axis.

Claims (5)

housing and
a mechanical part housed in the housing and immersed in oil;
Photography department and
a first holding part disposed in the opening of the housing and holding the imaging part;
a suction surface that is disposed closer to the inside of the housing than the photographing section and faces a circulation space through which oil, which is a fluid, flows; a magnet, the attracting surface facing the spacer portion through the circulation space;
a second holding part that holds the magnet and has a support surface that faces the back surface of the magnet and the side surface of the magnet;
a connecting part connected to the second holding part, disposed between the magnet and the photographing part, and having an opening that allows oil in the internal space of the housing to flow into the circulation space;
A magnet-side end surface disposed between the photographing section and the connecting section and facing the attraction surface via the circulation space, and a lens-side end surface facing the front end surface of the optical system of the photographing section. and the spacer section held by the first holding section.
Mechanical equipment. The optical axis and the center of the suction surface coincide in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical system of the imaging unit;
The mechanical device according to claim 1. an indicator portion disposed near the magnet for determining the state of the liquid flowing through the circulation space;
The mechanical device according to claim 1 or claim 2. the magnet is annular;
comprising a cone portion disposed inside the magnet;
The mechanical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. comprising the mechanical device according to any one of claims 1 to 4;
work vehicle.

Images